adj
Common
arrested
uh-REHS-tihd
Arrested (adj) means Taken into police custody, or charged with a crime. Example: “Three people were arrested during the protest.”
adj
1
Taken into police custody, or charged with a crime.
"Three people were arrested during the protest."
"The arrested man was taken to the station and questioned for several hours."
"Two arrested suspects were released the next morning without being charged."
2
Stopped or halted before reaching full development.
"The disease was caught early, leaving his growth only mildly arrested."
"The plant's arrested growth was caused by a lack of light in the shed."
"Doctors found that the child's arrested development had a treatable cause."
How to use arrested
Learner’s notesIn plain EnglishTaken into custody by police, or (less commonly) stopped partway through developing.
Common pairings
arrested development
got arrested
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Synonyms
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Rhymes for arrested
vested
rested
invested
detested
untested
requested
congested
contested
interested
uninterested
disinterested
See all rhymes for arrested →
Frequently asked questions
What does “arrested” mean?
The word “arrested” means taken into police custody, or charged with a crime. In plain terms, taken into custody by police, or (less commonly) stopped partway through developing.
How do you pronounce “arrested”?
“Arrested” is pronounced uh-REHS-tihd (/əˈɹɛstɪd/ in IPA).
How do you use “arrested” in a sentence?
Here is “arrested” used in a sentence: “Three people were arrested during the protest.”
What part of speech is “arrested”?
“Arrested” is an adjective.
Is “arrested” a common word?
“Arrested” is a fairly common word in modern English.
How many meanings does “arrested” have?
“Arrested” has 2 distinct senses listed in this dictionary. The most common is: taken into police custody, or charged with a crime.
What is the difference between being arrested and being detained?
Being detained means police are briefly holding you to investigate — you are not free to leave, but you have not been formally accused. Being arrested is more serious: you are taken into custody on suspicion of a crime, with your rights read and the event on record. Detention can lead to arrest.
What is the difference between being arrested and being charged?
Arrest is being taken into custody on suspicion of an offence. Being charged comes later, when prosecutors formally accuse you of a specific crime and the case moves toward court. You can be arrested and then released without ever being charged if there is not enough evidence against you.
Does being arrested mean you are guilty?
No. An arrest only means police had reasonable grounds to suspect involvement in a crime. Guilt is decided later, either by a court or a guilty plea. Many people who are arrested are released without charge or are later found not guilty. Arrest is the start of a process, not a verdict.
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